A Wells man is accused of hitting at teen girl so forcefully that she lost consciousness.
Fifty year old Jason Engen was charged Monday with felony malicious punishment of a child and he faces three misdemeanor counts of domestic assault.
Human Services began an investigation in January after receiving a report of physical abuse to a child. Engen allegedly became “agitated and aggressive” during an interview several days later with Human Services and Wells Police were called for assistance.
A teen girl told investigators that Engen was angry that she and her brother were arguing. She said then the children continued to argue, Engen grabbed her by the forehead and struck her in the back of the head so hard, she lost consciousness for roughly five seconds.
The complaint says her teen brother stepped in to help her, but Engen pushed him into the bathroom, causing him to fall into the shower.
Engen then shoved the child’s mother on the floor, causing injury to her ribs.
Police say Engen admitted shoving the boy into the shower and pushing the woman to the ground.
Engen denied causing the girl to blackout, according to the complaint. He maintained that the force used was “reasonable discipline” to break up the children’s argument. Police say Engen further admitted to headbutting the girl on a separate occasion.